Acceso usuarios
Juan Antonio Torrecilla García, Agnieszka Grazyna Skotnicka, Francisco Miguel Salguero Caparros, Virginia Herrera Pérez
This study provides an exploratory analysis of the effects of circular materials and components on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) within the construction industry. With circular economy (CE) principles increasingly integrated into con-struction, there is an emphasis on resource optimization through reuse, recycling, and waste minimization. These practices support sustainability and economic efficiency but simultaneously bring about unique occupational risks. The transition towards CE in construction necessitates an adaptive approach to safety protocols, ensuring both environmental benefits and worker safety are prioritized.The research evaluates how circular materials such as recycled plastics, reused steel, and innovative composites introduce non-traditional hazards that may compromise worker safety if unaddressed. Traditional OHS practices require modification as these materials may exhibit unpredictable characteristics under stress or deteriorate differently than virgin materials. The potential risks range from respiratory issues due to particulate exposure during material cutting to chemical hazards from residuals in recycled content. This research argues that proactive risk management and detailed material traceability are critical for enhancing OHS in a CE framework.The work adopts a mixed-method approach, including literature review and comparative case studies from four construction companies that integrate CE principles. Data collection incorporates interviews with project managers and OHS officers, accident report analyses, and safety audit reviews to identify safety impacts related to circular materials. Findings highlight a correlation between higher circular material usage and the need for enhanced safety measures, suggesting that comprehen-sive training on new material properties and risks is essential. Material traceability emerges as a pivotal factor, enabling the identification of hazardous components and facilitating the design of targeted OHS protocols.The findings indicate that CE practices, although beneficial for the environment, introduce complexities to OHS management that require regulatory updates and innovative safety measures. Addressing these challenges would ensure that the construc-tion sector not only meets sustainability goals but also advances worker protection in line with new material technologies. Consequently, the research underscores the importance of aligning CE strategies with robust OHS frameworks, fostering a construction industry that is both resilient and responsible. This dual commitment to sustainability and safety can enhance sectoral competitiveness, particularly in light of growing environmental regulations and resource scarcity
Este trabajo examina el impacto de los materiales circulares en la Seguridad y Salud Laboral (SSL) en el sector de la cons-trucción en España. Aunque las prácticas de economía circular (EC), como la reutilización y el reciclaje, promueven la sos-tenibilidad y eficiencia de costos, introducen riesgos laborales específicos que exigen protocolos de seguridad actualizados. La implementación de la EC requiere una gestión proactiva de riesgos, promoviendo un entorno de trabajo más seguro y sostenible. Este estudio destaca la importancia de comprender los materiales, aumentar la conciencia y mejorar las medidas de seguridad para maximizar los beneficios de los materiales circulares, alineando los objetivos ambientales y de seguridad ocupacional para una industria resiliente
